A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Lake Cleveland - East Side

Forest Service campground in Sawtooth National Forest, Cassia County, Idaho. About 8,300 feet. 6.9 miles from Albion.

Managed by
Forest Service Sawtooth National Forest
Elevation
About 8,300 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
7 7 standard non-electric
Longest rig
60 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Cassia County

Overview

Lake Cleveland Campground is a very popular summer recreational facility. Located next to its namesake, the campground is divided into the East Side and West Side loops. Very popular with residents of local communities, the campground is often full every weekend from early July to Labor Day.

Recreation

Fishing, kayaking, hiking and swimming are all popular activities within the Lake Cleveland area during the summer months. Non-motorized boating and floating is allowed on Lake Cleveland. Motorized recreation is limited to system roads and trails; no cross-country motorized travel is allowed.

Facilities

Seventeen camping sites are located in the East campground loop, seven of which are reservable, the remaining ten are first-come, first-served. The East side of the lake is best suited for large RVs and trailers. Nine campsites are available on the West side of the lake on a first-come, first-served basis. Trailers are not advised on the West side of the lake because the turn-around is very tight (limited space due to steep terrain).

Natural Features

At an elevation of 8,300 feet, the campground facility is located in an alpine lake basin below Mt. Harrison which has an elevation of 9,240 feet. Late season snowdrifts on the county road and in the campground often block access until early to mid-July. The campground is near the timberline and alpine wildflower meadows. Expansive views north across the Snake River Plain and south into Utah and Nevada can be found near the campground.

Nearby Attractions

Two miles from Lake Cleveland, Mt. Harrison has a fully functional fire lookout tower. Nearby Pomerelle ski area offers lift-served access to mountain bike and hiking trails. Two miles away, Twin Lakes Campground offers equestrian facilities and access to the Skyline Trail which is open for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and dirt bikes.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fire lookouts/cabins overnight
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site

The land around Lake Cleveland - East Side

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.